Free Daily Podcast Summary
Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Cj Cawley
Sticky Notes is the podcast hosted by CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty. Two brand designers sit down each week and unpack the reality of running a creative business. No fluff, no gatekeeping, no pretending they've got it all figured out. We talk about the wins, the failures, and everything in between. From niching (or not), finding clients, pricing your work, and building a brand… to creative blocks, self-doubt, and the messy side of freelancing that no one really shows.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 4 days ago1h 3m
Are design influencers ruining the industry?
This week, we're getting into the uncomfortable conversation you have to have with yourself when promoting your business on social media. The line between marketing yourself as a designer and becoming a design influencer.
- 1 weeks ago1h 5m
Design client red flags
This week, we’re talking about the red flags we look for before agreeing to work with a new design client.Finding clients is one thing. Finding the right clients... well that's a whole other story.After years of working freelance, running our own studios and making plenty of mistakes along the way, we’ve both developed a pretty good radar for the little signs that can tell you whether a project is going to be brilliant… or an absolute nightmare.
- 2 weeks ago1h 0m
Being a good brand designer isn't enough anymore
This week, we’re talking about everything it takes to run a successful creative business that has absolutely nothing to do with being good at design.We share the skills, traits and ugly lessons we’ve picked up while building our own independent studios.We get into:👉 Why being a great designer doesn’t automatically mean you’ll run a great design business👉 The sacrifices we’ve made to build our studios👉 Why sometimes you have to put the pencil down and think like a business owner👉 How your ego can damage otherwise healthy client relationships👉 Why marketing yourself isn’t optional when you work for yourself👉 The importance of ambition, hunger and continuing to push yourself forward👉 Why resilience matters when your work, content and ideas are constantly being judged
- 3 weeks ago34 min
Designing A Retro-Futurist Brand
This week, we’re continuing the case study series with a look behind the scenes of Jack’s latest brand identity project for Verdex - a premium all-wheel-drive robotic mower.Rather than leaning into the same overly technical, futuristic visual language used by much of the industry, Jack took a completely different approach: retrofuturism.We get into:👉 How retrofuturism became the central creative direction for Verdex👉 How Jack developed a logo around slopes, freshly mown grass and the letter V👉 The small optical adjustments that make simple logo marks actually work👉 How tone of voice can make highly technical products feel more human👉 Why one strong creative lens makes every design decision easier👉 How finding the right client can lead to some of your best creative work
- 3 weeks ago43 min
I Deliberately Designed a Boring Logo
This week, we’re doing something a little different and taking you properly behind the scenes of a real brand identity project.CJ breaks down the identity he created for Anti-Boring Content Club, a Berlin-based influencer marketing agency built around one very simple belief: most branded content is boring, predictable and completely forgettable.We get into:👉 How CJ approached designing for a brand with an extremely long name👉 Why the logo was deliberately designed to feel boring at first👉 How the idea of hijacking and hostile takeover shaped the entire visual identity👉 How to know when a creative concept is being pushed too far👉 Why clarity should always win over cleverness👉 Why even something as small as a business card can become part of the brand story
- Aug 13, 20261h 4m
A$AP Rocky vs Allan Peters
Using the recent Allan Peters and A$AP Rocky situation as a case study, we're taking a look at social media, self-promotion, and what it actually takes to market yourself as a designer in 2026.We get into the fine line between creating content that gets attention and creating content that actually builds the kind of reputation, audience and client base you want long term.We also talk honestly about our own relationship with social media, why millions of views don’t necessarily equal better clients, and why both of us are starting to rethink what successful creative marketing actually looks like.We get into:👉 What creatives can learn from the Allan Peters and A$AP Rocky situation👉 Why controversial and divisive content performs so well online👉 The difference between getting attention and building trust👉 Whether “fixing” other designers’ work is good marketing or damaging to the industry👉 Why millions of views don’t automatically lead to the right clients👉 How to build a social media strategy that actually reflects the creative career you want
- Aug 12, 20261h 9m
The BEST Logo I Ever Designed
This week, we’re talking about the projects that never saw the light of day. We're talking rejected ideas and identities that were maybe signed off but never launched. We share the stories behind some of our biggest creative disappointments, including Jack’s rejected Six Nations identity and the moment CJ decided to walk away from one of the largest and most meaningful projects of his career.We get into:👉 Why even your best design work might never make it into the world👉 How too many stakeholders can derail an otherwise brilliant creative project👉 Why a rejected idea doesn’t automatically mean the work was bad👉 What happens when the brief and creative direction suddenly change👉 How to recognise when you’re no longer the right designer for a client👉 What to do with unused, rejected or unfinished creative work
- Aug 5, 20261h 6m
This One Mistake Cost Me £4,000…
This week, we’re talking about how to protect yourself as a freelance designer.We're talking contracts, payment terms, scope creep, unlimited revisions and difficult clients. We get into the business side of creativity that most designers are never taught.We also share some of the biggest mistakes we made early in our careers, including the project that grew into nearly a year of work for just £4,000, and the systems and boundaries we now use to protect our time, money and creative energy.We get into:👉 Why every designer needs a proper contract👉 What should be included in your scope of work👉 How to stop clients adding “just one more thing” to a project👉 Why you should never begin work before receiving a deposit👉 How to avoid chasing unpaid invoices👉 How to handle clients who ask for discounts👉 The red flags that can reveal a nightmare clients👉 Why saying yes to everything can cost you time, money and better opportunities
About Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty
Sticky Notes is the podcast hosted by CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty. Two brand designers sit down each week and unpack the reality of running a creative business. No fluff, no gatekeeping, no pretending they've got it all figured out. We talk about the wins, the failures, and everything in between. From niching (or not), finding clients, pricing your work, and building a brand… to creative blocks, self-doubt, and the messy side of freelancing that no one really shows.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Cj Cawley.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty release new episodes?
Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty cover?
Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty covers topics including Arts, Design. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Sticky Notes with CJ Cawley and Jack Chitty summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.